Texas Longhorns Triumph in Double Overtime Thriller Against Arizona State
ATLANTA — In a game that will be remembered for its nail-biting intensity and dramatic twists, the Texas Longhorns emerged victorious over the Arizona State Sun Devils with a 39-31 win in double overtime. The hero of the night, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, sat at his locker long after the game, his heart rate finally returning to normal after the adrenaline-fueled contest.
“We had them right where we wanted them,” Ewers said with a sly smile, reflecting on his season-saving touchdown pass on fourth-and-13 in the first overtime. It was a moment that encapsulated the grit and determination of the Longhorns, who now advance to the semifinals at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl to face Ohio State.
The game was a showcase of resilience, particularly for two players who have often been underappreciated: Ewers and safety Andrew Mukuba. Mukuba sealed the victory with a crucial interception, a play that will be remembered as the turning point in this College Football Playoff quarterfinal game at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
Resilience and Determination
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian praised his team’s resilience, noting their ability to find a way to win despite blowing a 16-point fourth-quarter lead. “One thing that I know about our group is when our backs are against the wall and when our best is needed, our best shows up time and time again,” Sarkisian said. “There’s going to be plenty of stuff that we’re going to look at and say, ‘We got to do better,’ but our toughness and fight doesn’t need to be better.”
This resilience was epitomized by Ewers, who led the Texas offense through a challenging game. After a promising start with 77 yards in two plays on the first drive, the Longhorns struggled, managing only 64 total yards over the next two quarters. A critical moment came when Ewers was sacked in the end zone, resulting in the first safety in CFP history and giving Arizona State a chance to regain momentum.
Key Moments and Plays
- Texas faced a critical fourth-and-13 from the Arizona State 28 in the first overtime. Ewers, recognizing a blitz, changed the protection and delivered a perfect 28-yard touchdown pass to Matthew Golden.
- In the second overtime, Ewers connected with tight end Gunnar Helm for another touchdown, followed by a successful 2-point conversion to Golden.
- Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo found his rhythm in the third quarter, helping the Sun Devils tie the score with five minutes left in regulation.
As the game progressed, the Texas defense, which had been solid for most of the game, began to tire. Mukuba, a transfer from Clemson, took it upon himself to make a decisive play. With Arizona State facing third-and-8 from the Texas 10-yard line in the second overtime, Mukuba intercepted a pass from quarterback Sam Leavitt, ending the game and securing the win for Texas.
Looking Ahead
The victory was a stark contrast to the disappointment of last year, when Ewers’ incomplete pass ended Texas’ season in the Sugar Bowl semifinals against Washington. Now, the Longhorns have another shot at glory, with hopes of returning to Atlanta in 19 days to compete for a national championship. They opened as five-point underdogs to Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, according to ESPN BET.
“It sure does feel a whole lot better to be on this side of things,” Ewers said. “With all the momentum swings that were going on, we all just stayed confident in our own game. The resiliency of all these guys is unreal.”
Originally Written by: Andrea Adelson
